NAPROXEN

If it's the only thing that works they might let you stay on them but you might need to keep seeing a doctor to get them re prescribed. I think it's one of those meds that they'd rather give an alternative if possible but, at the same time if the pain is affecting your quality of life you need to take something that works. I can't remember what the side effects are, but I know there were people on them permanently. When you get older they don't like you being on ibuprofen but, if you are you need to take omeprazole with it.

Why are they not for long term use? That would be my question.

A locum prescribed these for you and they are giving you a better quality of life. The chief practitioner, who is responsible for costs, gives you a vague reason and does not want to prescribe this medication for you!

I would be doing a bit of research to find out more about Naproxen.

I am on Naproxen and have been for at least 8yrs , its the only thing I found that allows me to function with multiple Osteo-Athritic joints , I am careful to only take it as per instructions and so far have had no side effects ,obviously there are multiple side affects listed but I have tried other things and nothing comes close to controlling my pain if I forget even one tablet its very obvious to me that I have forgotten it.
Your GP is being cautious and may have a different take on things to other GPs you can only ask him again to explain what his objections are to taking it long term. I don't really understand why he said come back if you have joint pains as you say, thats what you went for in the first place.

Thanks for your replies. I know I should have quizzed the doctor more but two days before, on Christmas Day, I fell and fractured a bone in my elbow. (I cannot get into the fracture clinic for another 3 days). Anyway, I sat there in front of the doctor with my arm in a sling and he never once mentioned it or asked me what I had done. In truth I was feeling spaced out on codeine they gave me at A & E and just wanted to get home.
I have decided to stop taking codeine and try and half the Naproxen.

Poor you.. Hope your elbow heals quickly and you get the answers you need re Naproxen. If the half Naproxen works for you, good, but if it doesn't, take the full dose as prescribed. No point suffering when you don't have to. Take care.

One of my doctors tried to change my migraine medication for something cheaper (not the reason he gave at first) and I objected to the senior partner, who just gave me another 12 months!

I'm NOT going to be fobbed off as it's the only item on my prescription and many other people of my age have a lot more meds.
I have tried other meds but this one works

If they have no good reason to take you off it, then I would calmly object!

I was on it for ten years, and started to have problems. It had punched a hole through my stomach, I thought it was gastric problems but it turned out to be ulcers, even though I had followed all the instructions. I miss it desperately but my liver was affected. My liver has recovered now. I have been off it now for two years and hope I will be allowed to start taking it again. It was a very painful time, maybe that is why your Doctor is being cautious.

I'd been prescribed Naproxen for painful shoulders and upper arms, and a physio referral had also been arranged for me. The original Naproxen prescription ran out so I asked for a further supply and was given it without question. When I attended my first appointment, the physio remarked that she didn't 'like' Naproxen, though hastened to add that she wasn't criticising my GP for giving it to me. She felt that paracetamol was a much safer option because of possible problems similar to yours, janerowena
While taking it, I did seem to have indigestion a lot of the time. I now try to manage the pain with paracetamol.

Naproxen isn't expensive; that wouldn't be the reason for stopping it.

I have inflammatory arthritis, which is currently well controlled with disease modifiers. I am also prescribed Naproxen, which I try and take only when the pain, stiffness and tiredness that comes with it is diminishing my quality of life too much. I also take Omezrapole, a stomach coater. Naproxen is the current anti inflammatory of choice as it comes with a coating that protects the stomach.
It's interesting that the locum said your blood results were inconclusive. I had a number of tests for rheumatoid arthritis, over about 16 years, all of which were inconclusive or negative. When I was finally diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, the consultant was very sorry I hadn't been given a disease modifier much earlier. If you have raised esr (inflammation) rates, ask for a referral to a consultant rheumatologist. That should rule in or out, the need for treatment alongside the naproxen. I hope this doesn't sound too much like a mini rheumatology lecture - I wish I'd been referred earlier, as the some of the joint damage would have been delayed, or prevented. Good luck

Paracetamol will relieve pain, but not the inflammation - that's what Naproxyn does. I take Naproxyn and find it a very efficient anti inflammatory for my arthritic knees, and I have Lazoprazole as well.

As Tegan says, Naproxen is not an expensive drug at all- so that would not be the reason. More likely to be concerned about your heart or kidneys, or interaction with other drugs.

All anti-inflammatories have side-effects long-term- so I take paracetamol when i pain with my arthritic knee- and anti-inflammatories only when it is really bad and unbearable. Why not make an appointment with the (senior) GP again- and explain it id distressing you, and to explain clearly why he wants to take you off them- and how to cope with the pain. Sometimes we are tongue tied when at the doctor's- so it is important to make notes as questions come about- and then go back to discuss.

Personally, I'd be reassured in many ways that the more experienced and senior GP is concerned about long-term side-effects. Bonne chance.

I get horrible indigestion - even when taking Omeprazole - with Naproxyn. A friend who was rushed into hospital with bleeding from the bowel was told to stop taking it immediately. I think it is very much an individual thing and I would listen to the senior doctor's advice.

As a sideline - I take tablets for high blood pressure, risk of heart problems, and I've been told never to take NSAIDS.
So for aches and pains I only take paracetamol.

Howjado Naproxen is an effective anti inflamatory but really shouldn't be used long term although that view is subjective. It is probably best used at times of occasional flare ups. It might lead to stomach / digestive disorders which will necessitate a gastro-resistant drug such as Omeprazole. A far more effective remedy is Sulfasalazine but only under supervision and regular blood checks as these can lower the immune system. All medicine is an inexact science and invariably trial and error, given the variables found in the human body, is the most effective way to treat anyone within reason. Be guided by your doctor he or she will get there in the end with what is best for you.

ps your comments about the risks with naproxen are well put. I may be wrong, but believe that Sulfasalazine is prescribed as a disease modifier for people with inflammatory arthritis. I was prescribed it once the methotrexate needed something else to help it reduce my inflammatory markers etc. I only managed 3 weeks, was intolerant to it and eventually was prescribed a biological treatment. All the drugs to treat osteo and inflammatory arthritis bring risks with them. I'm guided by my consultant and GP, and take the disease modifiers to try and keep the disease from causing further problems. I avoid pain killers, and anti inflammatories unless I really need them. Sadly, many of us with inflammatory arthritis need to take painkillers or anti inflammatories more frequently than we'd like.

lam64 agree totally hence the wisdom in relying on medics. We are all different & there is no one drug fits all.

After a long discussion with my GP I was changed to Naproxen from some other anti- inflammatory which was apparently worse. I also take Omeprazole and so far have been ok.The doctor wanted me to come off altogether, but after a long discussion agreed that when you get to a certain age(70) the quality of life is worth a few risks. I don't want to live several years longer sitting in a chair in the corner if I can stay relatively mobile. I feel that even more keenly now as I had my first GD just over a year ago. I want to do things with her while I can.

nannyfran pleased to hear you are feeling the benefits and I would tend to agree with your doctor re the quality of life benefits versus any risk. Enjoy your grandaughter she will certainly keep you young and active - as they do.

Thank you ps.I've also taken up Pilates which seems to have benefits in spite of not being able to do all of the exercises. Having been born with problems, I'm lucky my legs have kept going as long as they have!I think any thing that strengthens what mobility is there, must help.
I hope you find a solution to your dilemma,Howjado.

nannyfran, I take a similar approach to you on the quality of life front. I went back to yoga, only managed 3 weeks before the Christmas break. I haven't done any for about 10 years, but what a difference I noticed after only one class. I had begun to stiffen up further, due to bursistis in my hip, osteo in my foot etc and had let my posture go. Yoga certainly reminds you about the benefits of stretching doesn't it.

I certainly agree with you, nannyfran. I'm only in my late 50s but have had arthritis since I was 40, it is debilitating and tiring especially in the cold and damp. I do take the odd ibuprofen now that I am no longer allowed naproxen or diclofenac, I take it when I know I will have a particularly tiring day, but I have it in my knees and feet and hips and fingers and shoulders and wish they would at least give me new hips, but they say I am still too young as 2nd and 3rd operations are still not always all that good. I say I don't care, I would rather have a few good active years to keep my garden straight or have a bop at a family wedding while I am young enough to enjoy it. Now that school runs are no longer required I am hoping to push for an op, then maybe by the time I am really falling apart euthanasia will be legalised anyway.

janerowena stamp your feet and demand they have another look at you tell your GP its badly affecting the quality of your life. I had my hip replaced at 57 and don't regret it for a moment, as you say I think its better to have good mobile years while you still have the energy to enjoy it.

janerowena, have you had a referral to a rheumatologist for a proper assessment? I'd had almost 20 years of symptoms before sight problems occurred, which my GP recognised as a possible indicator of inflammatory arthritis, given the aches, pains and exhaustion I'd had for years. The rheumatologist was brilliant, and so reassuring. I now take disease modifiers, so further joint problems are at least slowed down. Plus, the quality of my life is much improved. I was lucky in having a GP at that time, with a special interest in rheumatology. My sister has the same condition, but her GP had spent several years telling her that the knee and general mobility problems were simply age related wear and tear.